Paktia Panthers moved to the second spot in the points table beating Kabul Zwanan by six wickets in the 20th match in Afganistan Premier League. Batting first Kabul posted a competitive total of 168-4 in 20 overs helped by Captain Colin Ingram’s unbeaten 83 and 42 by Wayne Parnell. Panthers chased down the target in the final over of the match led by Shahzad with six wickets in hand.
Kabul had a shocking start with two openers departed in the first over after electing to bat first. Parnell and Ingram added 75 runs for the third wicket in just 49 balls to recover from the early loss of wickets. Parnell departed in the 10th over after a fine knock of 42. Ingram kept playing his shots at the other end and added 46 runs for the fourth wicket with Zaman and 47 runs with Usman Adil for an unbeaten fifth wicket. Ingram remained not out on 83 off 51 balls with four sixes to his account.
Mohammad Shahzad and McLeod took Panthers chase to 89 halfway through their innings after opener Ihsanullah retired hurt on four runs. Shahzad departed with 89 runs on the scoreboard after a brilliant 62 off 37 balls with three sixes. McLeod(35), Shenwari()27 and Afridi’s innings ensured that Panthers were in the chase and cruised home in 19.4 overs with the loss of only four wickets. Afridi remained unbeaten on 30 off 19 balls.
That draw curtains to the league game and its time for Semifinals of the first edition of APL.
Semi Final 1 – Balkh Legends v Nangarhar Leopards
Semi Final 2 – Paktia Panthers v Kabul Zwanan
